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Defense Date
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Biomedical Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Gerald E. Miller
Abstract
Heart transplant is often considered the best treatment for prolonged left ventricular failure. However due to limited donor hearts and ineligibility of some patients to get a transplant, heart assist devices are considered a short/long term option to assist the failing ventricle. Numerous in vitro and animal trials are conducted to study the flow fields in artificial ventricles to avoid hemolysis and thrombosis but the effects of flow fields corresponding to the angle of LVAD insertion into the aorta are often neglected. This experiment uses 30, 60 and 90 degree glass models to signify different angles of the surgical end to side anastomosis. Particle Image Velocimetry is used to study the flow fields at the interface and determine optimum angle amongst the three to avoid blood trauma. Use of a 30 degree glass interface minimizes stagnation zone, recirculation patterns, flow reversal, high shear region and other flow irregularities which may lead to reduced hemolysis, thrombosis and blood trauma in a clinical setting.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
June 2008
VCU Only:
Off Campus Download
Comments
Part of Retrospective ETD Collection, restricted to VCU only.